Schools honor service members with Veterans Day ceremonies

Students at Millsap Elementary School welcome a processional of veterans through the halls of the school on Nov. 4.

Nov. 16, 2016—Schools throughout CFISD honored retired and active service men and women during Veterans Day celebrations during the last two weeks.

Veterans throughout the community were invited to attend the celebrations, which included meals, parades, musical performances, skits and speeches designed to honor those who defend the freedoms of the United States.

More than 30 elementary and several secondary campuses participated in some type of celebration.

“From flyovers to evening programs to full campus celebrations involving every student, each one was special and focused on recognizing the men and women who have served or are currently are serving our country,” said Loretta Bourn, CFISD coordinator of elementary music and PE.

Postma Elementary

Postma Elementary School third-grade students, led by music teacher Dixie Sellers, sing patriotic songs for the visiting veterans during their Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 4.

Led by choir teacher Dixie Sellers, Postma third-grade students welcomed veterans for their first outdoor celebration on Nov. 4. The Jersey Village High School Air Force JROTC, led by TSgt. Joseph Campbell (Ret.), presented the colors and formed a saber arch for veterans to walk through.

“I liked the color guard being here and raising the flag,” said U.S. Air Force MSgt Stan Harris (Ret.), who was enjoying his first CFISD veterans event. “That’s something that, when I was in high school in ROTC, we did every day. I’m glad to see that’s still going on. It makes me proud and honored that a school would take the time to celebrate the veterans.”

Black Elementary School

Two Black Elementary School students welcome their Marine Corps veteran grandfather to school on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Ninety-four veterans turned out for the Veterans Day celebration at Black Elementary School on Nov. 11, including World War II combat veteran Bob Ring of the Army Air Corps. Each veteran was called to the front of the cafeteria to greet their family member(s), and Ring received a standing ovation.

“It was a fabulous experience,” he said. “I enjoyed it. It was amazing.”

The Bearkat students created a veterans wall with photos and descriptions of their veteran family members, and during the ceremony sang songs to honor their heroes.

“The students start looking forward to it early on in the year. There’s a big lead-up for it,” said Melissa LeDoux, Black principal. “It’s a great thing to teach the students, about respect and what someone has done for them. I teared up several times just seeing the embraces between the veterans and the students.”

Yeager Elementary School

Yeager Elementary School students greet World War II Navy veteran Glendon Osburn during the school’s Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11.

Yeager Elementary School continued the tradition of celebrating and honoring veterans during its 15th annual celebration on Nov. 11. The school hosted more than 120 veterans and active military and over 225 honored guests.

The celebration included a breakfast reception, Wall of Honor and Texas Fallen Heroes displays, followed by the musical celebration by Yeager students and recognition of veteran speakers (including a veteran and his service dog), Texas Veterans Commission and Senator John Cornyn’s office. Veterans were given a memento booklet including student art and essay winners as a keepsake.

“This is a special day of celebration at Yeager as our students, staff and Yeager community celebrate veterans, our heroes,” said Laura Barrett, Yeager principal.

Lamkin Elementary School

Lamkin students and staff recognized and honored veterans and active military members with a performance from the Cy-Fair High School AFJROTC unit and the school’s fifth-grade choir. All service members enjoyed music teacher Ben Proko performing “Taps,” and librarian Megan Casas gave a brief description of what Veterans Day is and why we celebrate.

Millsap Elementary School

Millsap students welcomed veterans to the campus for a ceremony on Nov. 4. Grade-level winners of the Veterans Day Essay Contest followed the theme “Millsap Honors Our Veterans” to recite their letters, poems or essays. Selected students were:

Millsap welcomed Bob Clark as its master of ceremonies, while Texas Ranger Jeff Owens delivered the keynote address. The Cy-Fair AFJROTC also participated in the program.

Copeland Elementary School

Copeland Elementary School students lead veterans through the school during their Nov. 11 recognition ceremony.

Copeland honored its veterans with a reception and parade through the hallways on Nov. 11. Langham Creek’s AFJROTC presented the colors and led the parade. During the reception, the Colt choir led by Claudia Vigil offered its tribute to veterans. Students then lined the halls waving their flags in salute to the courageous men and women.

Ault Elementary School

The Ault Elementary School choir performs for veterans during their ceremony on Nov. 11.

Ault held a veterans program on Nov. 11, attended by Ault students, family members and honored veterans from the community. During the two programs, the Ault choir under the direction of music teacher Christine Meischen sang for the veterans.

“Ault loves and honors all veterans who have served and continue to serve our great country,” said Jeff LaCoke, Ault principal.

Bang Elementary School

Bang Elementary School hosted a Veterans Day ceremony outside of the school on Nov. 11.

Bang Elementary invited local veterans to participate in its Veterans Day program on Nov. 11. The school's fourth-grade Boy Scout troop led the event with a flag ceremony, followed by students singing the national anthem. During the Armed Forces Medley, Bang students honored each of the armed forces and their veterans by singing each branch’s theme song. Prior to the event, fourth-grade students wrote letters and poems to the veterans. Three were selected to share their writings during the program. To conclude the program, veterans were treated to a light breakfast in the cafeteria, where they also got the chance to view the patriotic picture board.

Anthony Middle School

Veterans are recognized at the ceremony hosted by Anthony Middle School on Nov. 11.

Anthony students welcomed 60 veterans from the community and seven veteran staff members to its ceremony on Nov. 11.

The Cy-Fair AFJROTC unit began the program with the presentation of colors and the playing of the national anthem by the Raven band. They were then treated with a performance of “America the Beautiful” by Anthony’s varsity girls’ choir.

Cy-Fair High School AFJROTC cadets salute veterans during a ceremony at Lamkin Elementary School.

Sharla Gordon, girls’ basketball coach and Army veteran, presented a speech on the core values of the Army and how those align with our Raven RISE matrix. The orchestra then played “Honor and Glory” for our honorees enjoyment.

Sixth-grade student Orlando Haye, winner of the Veterans Day writing competition, shared his poem, “To Veteran’s and Soldiers.” The playing of “Taps” ended the program.

Spillane Middle School

Spillane Middle School choir students display signs for the branches of the United States armed services as the band and orchestra perform during the school’s Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 8.

Spillane’s fine arts department and student council gave a warm welcome to veterans in the school’s 12th annual celebration on Nov. 8.

Each branch of the military was honored as the band, orchestra and choir gave rousing performances, while several students gave dramatic readings for the crowd.

Spillane namesake Carolyn Stamm Spillane attended all three morning performances open to each grade level.

“I think this is an act of service by our Spartan students back to the community,” said Mike Maness, Spillane principal. “We get to show our veterans how much we appreciate them and thank them for their sacrifices.”

Salyards Middle School

Salyards Middle School eighth-grade student Christian Phillips and his father, veteran Eddie Phillips, enjoy a Veterans Day lunch at the school on Nov. 11.

Salyards hosted a Salute to Our American Heroes lunch to honor 65 veterans during three lunch periods. Julie Gibbs worked with the Career Portals and Principals of Hospitality and Tourism students to prepare and serve pies during the veterans lunch.

Shauna Martin and Julie Peterson’s Art student made a buddy poppy wreath display, while student council and PE students placed flags around the building.

Cypress Creek High School

Cypress Creek High School AFJROTC cadets present the colors during the school’s Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11. (Photo by Jessica Metcalf, Cypress Creek HS)

Cypress Creek celebrated Veterans Day throughout the day on Nov. 11. The morning began with the presentation of colors by the school’s AFJROTC unit. During the presentation, a cadet sang the national anthem and another student played Reveille on the trumpet.

During third period, the national anthem was sang once again—this time by a member of the Cypress Creek choir—followed by a moment of silence.

Seven Cypress Creek veterans were honored and recognized during morning announcements and were presented with a thank you card and a gift. In addition to the Nov. 11 celebration, the student council created stars for students to fill in names of family members who have served in the military. These stars were used to create a large flag that was decorated the hallway on Veterans Day.

Cypress Springs High School

The Cypress Springs High School marching band and Air Force Junior ROTC represented the district by marching in the “Houston Salutes American Heroes” Veterans Day Celebration and parade in downtown Houston on Nov. 11.

Jersey Village High School

Jersey Village High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets welcome veterans during a retreat ceremony at the campus on Nov. 9. (Photo by Damaris De León, Jersey Village HS)

The Jersey Village AFJROTC honored faculty and community members who served in the armed forces on Nov. 9 during a retreat ceremony.

You are now leaving the CFISD website. CFISD is not responsible for the accuracy or content of any of the information provided by this site, nor is it liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues arising out of your access to or use of third party technologies or programs available through this site. This site is not part of CFISD, and CFISD has no control over its content or availability.

JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.JavaScript is required for optimal performance of this site.

Javascript Required

Sorry, this site does not work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please enable JavaScript or contact your local administrator.